This policy describes how Instead (Android package com.mindfulness.usage) handles information. The operator is Petru Trimbitas, authorized natural person (PFA), Romania. Contact: petru.trimbitas@gmail.com.
1. What the app does on your phone
Limits, instead-apps, consent flags, and trial dates stay on the device. The app does not create a user account and does not back up app data to our servers.
2. Usage Access
If you grant Usage Access, Instead reads foreground time and launch counts from Android usage stats so the dashboard, widget, and limits can work. That data stays on the device unless you later turn on optional impact stats (off by default). We do not sell it.
3. Accessibility service
If you enable Instead limits, the service reads only the package name of the app that came to the foreground. It does not read screen text, view IDs, taps, notifications, or window contents (canRetrieveWindowContent is false). Instead is not an accessibility tool for people with disabilities. You can turn the service off in Android Settings → Accessibility at any time.
Package names from Accessibility are used only on-device to decide whether a limit was reached. They are not stored by us and are not sent off the device.
4. Analytics and crash reports
Instead uses Google Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics (project instead-9d5ea) to record events such as app open, setup finished, limit created, block shown, paywall, and purchase result, plus crash stacks. These services may process an app instance identifier, device and OS metadata, and the event names. They do not receive other apps’ package names from Instead. Google’s processing is described in the Google Privacy Policy.
5. Payments
Android subscriptions are sold through Google Play Billing. Google processes payment details. We receive a subscription entitlement (whether Instead Plus is active), not your full card number.
6. Optional impact stats
A setting lets you share anonymous totals (time and opens, plus coarse categories for well-known apps). It defaults to off. The upload endpoint is not configured in the current app, so turning the switch on does not send a report today. If that changes, this policy will be updated first.
7. What we do not collect
- Microphone or voice data (removed; no
RECORD_AUDIO) - Contacts, photos, location, or SMS
- Screen contents
- OpenAI or other third-party AI prompts
8. Legal basis (GDPR)
If you are in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland: on-device limit enforcement is based on your request to use the app (contract) and your consent for Usage Access and Accessibility. Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics are used as legitimate interest in keeping the app stable and understanding whether core flows work, limited to the events listed above. You may object by email. You have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and portability, and you may complain to the Romanian supervisory authority (ANSPDCP).
9. Retention
On-device data lasts until you clear app data or uninstall. Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics retention follows Google’s defaults for the project. Play purchase records follow Google’s retention.
10. Children
Instead is intended for adults. We do not aim it at children under 16.
11. Changes
We will post updates on this page and change the effective date. Material changes will be highlighted here.